Chester holds benefit for victim of accident

January 7, 2013

CHESTER - Family, friends, community members and even the AirEvac Lifeteam that flew him to Pittsburgh Children's Hospital came out to show their support for Tyler Simpson at the Team Tyler Benefit Day at The Fire House Bar and Grill in Chester on Saturday.

Doors for the event opened at 3 p.m. and soon thereafter the establishment was bustling with people showing their support for Simpson.

The event featured a spaghetti dinner, a 50/50 drawing, a Chinese auction, and a visit from the Air Evac crew who flew Simpson to the hospital following the accident.

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HELPING TYLER — A crowd turned out at the Fire House Bar and Grill in Chester Saturday as part of a benefit for Tyler Simpson, the Oak Glen Middle School student was was seriously injured in a pedestrian-car accident in Chester in November. -- Devin Bezeredi

The three-man crew flew in to the event in a AirEvac Lifeteam helicopter landing next door at the Lawerenceville Volunteer Fire Department. They stayed for dinner and to catch up on Simpson's condition since they transported him to the Pittsburgh Hospital in November.

After the dinner, local music acts Chad Squires, Brad Gibson, Kent Cox, Plan B, Coat Rack Life Jack and Fred Ludovici and the Mad River Men pitched in by donating their talents to the cause.

Allison Scarry, Simpson's mother, reported that his condition is steadily improving, stating that he "looks around" and seems more alert.

Since Simpson's accident in November, Scarry has been at his bedside nearly non-stop. Scarry added that she probably would not have even left his side for the benefit if not for the fact that he was "having a good day today."

"I'm one of those mothers that cling to their children," said Scarry with a weary smile.

Simpson, an eighth-grader at Oak Glen Middle School, was severely injured in an accident on Nov. 18 in which he was struck by trailer being pulled by a truck in Chester.

Simpson sustained injuries to his skull and brain in the accident and remains in the hospital's intensive care unit.

As the Fire House Bar and Grill continued to fill with people Saturday, Simpson's friends and family expressed gratitude at seeing the community unite.

"We are all extremely touched by and thankful for the way the community, family and friends have really pulled together. I can't thank (owner of the Fire House Bar and Grill) Dave Albaneso enough for his help and letting us use his business, and the staff at the Fire House they've been wonderful too. It's been a real blessing," said Katie Barnes, who helped organize the event along with Robin Crowe and many other members of Team Tyler.